Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has today called for "an all
Ireland strategy to combat the most recent outbreak of the Avian Flu virus
in Turkey".

Ms McDonald made her comments after the European Commission confirmed that
the deadly strain H5N1, which has killed more than 60 people in Asia since
2003 was found in Turkish poultry. EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou
confirmed that tests had revealed the strain earlier today.

Speaking from Brussels Ms McDonald said:

"Avian Flu virus has spread from South East Asia, into Russia and has now
been located in Turkey, on the south eastern fringes of Europe. Whilst not
wishing to cause panic, it is clear that health officials are bracing
themselves for the possibility of a global pandemic.

"I welcome the fact that the European authorities have moved to ban all bird
and poultry products from Romania and the import of live birds and feathers
from Turkey. Restrictions should be kept in place for as long as is
necessary.

"Given the seriousness of the situation the authorities north and south must
act urgently and must act together. The British authorities also need to
inform citizens in the Six Counties as to how many vaccines have been
ordered for local people.

"In a question asked in the Dail in September by my colleague Caoimhghín Ó
Caoláin TD, Minister Mary Harney's office responded that 'arrangements have
already been made to purchase 1 million treatment packs of antivirals
(Tamiflu). This quantity is sufficient to treat 25% of the population'.
Whilst 600,000 packs are due to be delivered before the end of the year, the
other 400,000 will not arrive before the New Year. Ireland must be fully
prepared to combat any potential viral strain of avian flu. If that means
ordering extra stocks of antivirals then so be it." ENDS